The Best Diving in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. When scuba diving in Costa Rica, Rocket Frog Divers is your 5 Star PADI IDC Dive Center of choice for Guanacaste, Costa Rica.We have also recently become SDI accredited as well as NAUI accredited with an instructor who is qualified to certify you through these agencies. There is very good diving on the north Paciific coast of Costa Rica at the Catalina Islands. The island is surrounded by deep oceanic waters punctuated by soaring pinnacles and steep reef walls. Bull sharks, Manta Rays, spotted eagle rays, white tipped reef sharks – incredible diving in warm waters with lots to do on land. On any dive, you can expect to see colorful reef fish interspersed with schools of snapper or barracuda as well as turtles, moray eels and whitetip reef sharks. Common marine life sightings for Costa Rica. We provide Costa Rica diving and snorkeling trips to the Catalina Islands all year round. Whale migrations, sharks, manta rays, huge schools of fish, volcanic rock pinnacles make Costa Rica fun and exciting diving. Cano Island. The Gulf of Papagayo is our playground and it starts up North at Los Arcos in Isla Murcielagos and ends just before the Catalina Islands. Costa Rica Scuba Diving If you think the mesmerizing biodiversity of Costa Rica stops at its shoreline, wait until you dive into the aquatic world beneath its coastal waters. Costa Rica is famous for its incredible biodiversity and beachfront resorts, but its surrounding water is just as impressive. The conditions here usually involve strong currents, so an Advanced certification is advised. For full information, please see our disclaimer here. Cocos Island, 300 miles off Costa Rica's mainland, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is world renowned... Caño Island. Scuba Diving in Costa Rica. There are three ships to explore in the area: the Coronel Lafonso Monge, the Franklin Chang Diaz and the Caroline Star. Caño Island is probably the best diving destination in Costa Rica, second only to Cocos island. Caribbean Central Pacific Cocos Island Guanacaste Province Southern Nicoya Peninsula Bill Beard’s Travel specializes in individual, group, honeymoon, family vacation packages, scuba diving, snorkeling, sailing, surfing and adventure tours. Isla del Coco: The best scuba diving spot in Costa Rica. Sharks are the main attraction here, however. The fourteen member professional crew is on hand to ensure the ultimate diving adventure in and out of the water. Our goal is to give people one of the best experiences in life with an awesome climate and amazing views of the ocean, mountains, rivers and wildlife. When scuba diving in Costa Rica, Rocket Frog Divers is your 5 Star PADI IDC Dive Center of choice for Guanacaste, Costa Rica. The diving is great all year. Costa Rica Scuba Diving Map - Dive sites and areas. We have mentioned those in which you can experience the best diving and we have also mentioned some points that you should avoid, because you will not find anything interesting to see. Caño Island Biological Reserve, the best scuba diving in Costa Rica mainland. It is home to huge populations of hammerhead sharks, giant manta rays, turtles and more. Of course, remote destinations such as Cocos Island, require a high level of diver experience, but in return offer one of the best diving experiences in the world! We are Scuba Dive Costa Rica (SDCR), a multilingual PADI 5 Star Center located at the heart of Costa Rica's diving region in Playa Potrero. Diving is still a growing industry on this side of Costa Rica, so expect more and more dive centres to open in the future, with sites becoming more accessible. One of the most famous dive sites, Bajo Alcyone, is known worldwide for its vast schools of scalloped hammerhead. Washed by the warm waters of the Caribbean on one side and the nutrient-rich Pacific on the other, it is also home to an incredible variety of marine life. Our boat is located in the Playas del Coco bay. Blacktip reef ... Book your diving in Costa Rica. Diving in the Pacific involves descending shelves, offering dive sites at many levels with caves, caverns, and underwater pinnacles, a backdrop to pelagic species feeding … You can find moray eels hiding between rocks while diving in Islas Tortuga. There is a plethora of small tropical fish here, and the shallow sites and warm clear water offer relaxing diving at … Costa Rica Scuba Diving Map - Dive sites and areas. www.scubadivecostarica.cr Costa rica vip sky diving is an operation that has been planed for many years. The best diving in Costa Rica, though, is arguably at the Cocos Islands, 300 miles off the mainland and a UNESCO World … We take your safety as the first priority and will help you refine your scuba diving skills. And yes, it could be a little challenging and requires a lot of attention and focus. Often heralded as one of Costa Rica’s best diving areas, Cano Island is all about world-class diving, snorkeling and whale watching. On the way out to the islands, cetacean species including humpbacks and orcas are often spotted. Kuna Vela Sailing Tours. Larger animals such as manta rays, moray eels, sharks, orcas, dolphins, and whales are also known to … Costa Rica diving is available year round so when asked when is the best time to dive in Costa Rica, Bill Beard always answers “Any time you can make it!” Diving seasons are divided between the rainy “green” season (May to November) and dry season (December to April) If we had to pick, our favorite time is Costa Rica’s rainy season between May to November. Descending to the submerged mountain will give you the best seat in the house to see manta and mobula rays swirling into the cleaning stations and legions of hammerhead sharks on all sides of you as they descend to below the thermocline. Yes, there are risks in scuba diving for beginners , and even experienced divers. This sunken cargo ship has become a haven for marine life, with colourful coral and schools of fish. These rich waters are known for Pacific mantas, devil rays, white tip and nurse sharks, as well as many species of fish. CAÑO ISLAND BIOLOGICAL RESERVE. Whitetip reef shark. It’s home to volcanic rock formations, vibrant coral reefs, shipwrecks and abundant marine life. With the closest launch point to Las Catalinas Islands at just 15 minutes, SDCR is the only beachfront Dive Center in Costa Rica featuring our very own onsite training pool, restaurant and full bar. The Caribbean is warm with reefs protecting many brilliantly colored species. Located 340 miles/550 kilometers off the country's west coast, it is exclusively accessed via liveaboard charter. This island has recently … Love hammerheads? There is very good diving on the north Paciific coast of Costa Rica at the Catalina Islands. The main diving attraction here is the wreck of the “Phoenix”. This world class diving destination is a great place to see pelagic species like marlin, sailfish and sharks when they visit the islands to feed and mate. The Best Diving in Costa Rica Cocos Island. Begin your vacation by staying at Flamingo Beach, then travel south to the majestic Osa Peninsula. Located 500 km (340 miles) west of Costa Rica, Cocos Island is a world famous dive spot. The Big Scare is not the only dive site—other highlights include Bajo Negro, a steep pinnacle known for its schooling gamefish and possible manta sightings. Sign up to get the latest news and offers. Visibility ranges from 33-100 feet/10-30 meters. Refresher Scuba Diving Course Costa Rica Our Refresh course will allow you to remember the basics of scuba diving and practice alongside one of our instructors. Scuba diving at Cano Island is one of the very best ways to enjoy your precious vacation time while in Costa Rica. All-inclusive. Skydive Pura Vida is a small personalized drop zone operated by the most experienced Skydiver in all of Costa Rica. This is definitely a bucket list scuba dive trip! You can reach Caño Island via day trips from Manuel Antonio or Drake Bay; or you can stay there on a liveaboard charter. We service the Tamarindo, Langosta, Grande, Conchal, Brasilito, Potrero, Flamingo and Las Catalinas areas. As a result, trips to Cocos are not cheap—but the wonder of what awaits there makes the expense worthwhile. What to See and Do Around Cebu in the Philippines, 7 of the Best Dive Destinations in South Africa, The Top 5 Scuba Diving Sites of Costa Rica. Please click the map to open up the full-width map in another window. Bill Beard is the true pioneer of scuba diving in Costa Rica, started diving from dug out canoes in 1970. Bajo del Diablo is often considered the area's most rewarding dive site. “It was … The Catalinas are a group of rocky islets 2 to 15 miles off the northwest coast of Costa Rica. It’s a little more expensive than its neighbours – a little bit more Americanised – but in return it’s safer and easier to explore. The best area for diving and snorkeling on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coastline, this region’s tropical bays and lagoons offer a sheltered refuge for turtles, manatees, crocodiles, and dolphins. The Franklin Chang Diaz is a former Coast Guard vessel inhabited by large schools of jack and snapper, while the Caroline Star is the deepest wreck at 100 feet/30 meters. The Best Diving in Costa Rica Which You Can’t Miss. With the closest launch point to Las Catalinas Islands at just 15 minutes, SDCR is the only beachfront Dive Center in Costa Rica featuring our very own onsite training pool, restaurant and full bar. We specialize in giving our customers a safe first jump experience. … Either way, make sure to explore both coasts to get a full appreciation of Costa Rica's beauty. The underwater landscape of Costa Rican dive sites are made up of boulders and pinnacles, so it's a great place to get your Drift Diver and Deep Diver certifications. Best Places for Diving in Costa Rica 1. Costa Rica is well known as the home to many different species of animal and plants, and this is also true for the coastlines. Please click the map to open up the full-width map in another window. COCOS ISLAND. The visibility is generally good (sometimes exceeding 100 feet/30 meters), and the abundance of marine life makes this site a worthy alternative for those that don't have the time or the budget for Cocos. Often heralded as one of Costa Rica’s best diving areas, Cano Island is all about world-class diving, snorkeling and whale watching. Over the last 30 days, diving resorts in Costa Rica have been available starting from $72, though prices have typically been closer to $193. The best way to overcome that fear is to go forward and take some diving courses. She also covers travel products and has written about everything from camping knives to climbing chalk. Without a doubt, Cocos Island is the most famous dive destination in Costa Rica. Costa Rica Entry Requirements; The 4 Best Places to Dive in Costa Rica Cocos Island. Depending on what you are looking for in diving, some times during the year can be better than others, but they all have their advantages. Best Scuba Diving experience in Costa Rica. Best scuba diving sites in Costa Rica. Rays aren't the Catalina Islands' only attraction. Scuba diving Costa Rica can be done all year round. We are Scuba Dive Costa Rica , a multilingual PADI 5 Star Center located at the heart of Costa Rica's diving region in Playa Potrero. People visiting Costa Rica for a vacation often ask us when the best time to visit our country is. In fact, despite its relatively small size, the country contains 5% of the planet's total biodiversity. Visibility can vary greatly—as much as 100 feet/30 meters one day, and as little as 16 feet/5 meters the next. In fact, due to its beauty and its invaluable ecosystem, Caño Island is considered by many divers as “The Cocos Island in miniature”. Best time to dive in Costa Rica Scuba Diving is available year round with air temperatures around 27°C/82°F in winter and 33°C/92°F in summer. Our attention to detail defines us. During these months, divers will benefit from calmer seas and visibility reaching 70 feet (20 meters). #24 Best Value of 30 Diving Resorts in Costa Rica “ We did the following tours: Corcovado Jungle tour, Cano Island Snorkeling, Morning Birding, and Scuba Diving … Sharks. If you are here for diving, you should come mid-May until late November.The reasons behind this are many. Just offshore from the Caribbean city of Limon, is Isla Uvita. In different parts of the country, there are diving opportunities for all tastes and levels of divers. MV Argo can accommodate up to 18 guests in 9 cabins. The Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge is considered by... Cahuita National Park | Southern Caribbean Coast. Caribbean Central Pacific Cocos Island Guanacaste Province Southern Nicoya Peninsula Scuba Dive Costa Rica is a PADI Dive Centre located in Potrero with an additional sales point in Tamarindo. Sites such as Cocos Islands, Cano Island and Gandoca Manzanillo could even be considered world class. If you love Scuba Diving or Snorkeling, if you have been before or you want discover for the first time Caño Island scuba diving in Costa Rica, we offer you many different daily scuba diving … We have also recently become SDI accredited as well as NAUI accredited with an instructor who is qualified to certify you through these agencies. For a thrilling dive experience, Caño Island is one of the best places to dive in... 3. Our Costa Rican dive resorts also offer enticing manta ray encounters. Head to the Cocos Islands for world-class adventures, then enjoy the pinnacles and boulders across the rugged underwater Costa Rican terrain. 8 of the Best Scuba Diving Destinations in Africa, The 9 Best Spots for Scuba Diving in Thailand, 10 Things to Do on the Philippine Island of Camiguin, These 10 Places Offer the Best Scuba Diving in Borneo, Scuba Diving in Tofo Beach, Mozambique: The Complete Guide. With a PADI Travel account, you can favourite dive operators to come back to later on any device or computer. The answer is simple. Please keep in mind that this is our high season and you should reserve your Costa Rica diving on time. ISLAS TORTUGA. As a result, divers must be confident in the water and have their PADI Advanced Open Water certification or equivalent. If you are planning to dive during your visit to Costa Rica, Las Catalinas has to be on your list of places to dive. Las Catalinas Islands are home to some of the best coastal diving in Costa Rica with a fantastic variety of marine life. Our travel consultants are available 24/7 to help you plan your next trip. PADI 5 star dive center. Boasting several dive... 2. Just offshore from the town of Limon on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica is Isla Uvita, a … Off the coast of Costa Rica's northwestern Guanacaste province lie the Catalina Islands, an archipelago of rugged rocky outcrops. Juan Santamaría International Airport Guide. Cocos Island is generally ranked top 3 dive sites in the world but out of budget for many people, being visited only by liveaboard. You’re likely to spot a sea turtle or two while dolphins dance in the surf, while watching potentially hundreds of fish species. Dive with hundreds of hammerhead sharks at Cocos Island or try an adrenaline-filled dive with bull sharks at Bat Island. Diving Resorts in Costa Rica: Find 44572 traveller reviews, candid photos, and the top ranked Diving Resorts in Costa Rica on Tripadvisor. Regular visitors include Galapagos sharks, bull sharks, tiger sharks, silky sharks and whitetip reef sharks. The Isla del Caño Biological Reserve was founded in 1978. Wedged between two oceans, Costa Rica is a top scuba diving destination, especially along the Pacific coast, where crystal clear waters are home to a variety of marine life. Create an account to set your preferences, save items to your wishlist and manage your bookings from any device at any time, Our scuba travel experts are available 24/7 to assist you in planning and booking a fantastic scuba diving vacation. Its status as a biological reserve since 1978, means that the biodiversity in the area is remarkable – … Diving Destinations, Scuba. Diving Costa Rica. The best season for wildlife sightings is June to November, when plankton blooms attract the greatest variety of life. Costa Rica is one of the few places where a diver can enjoy both the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea. There are around 20 different dive sites at Cocos and potential sightings range from great schools of gamefish like trevally and tuna; to dolphins, sailfish, turtles and manta rays. The best diving in Costa Rica #1 Cocos Island. Follow: Regions of Costa Rica. Caño Island is in Drake Bay on the northwest side of the wild Osa Peninsula, which … This sudden change in topography causes nutrient-rich upwellings, which in turn attract a multitude of pelagic species. With its stunning backdrop of lush jungle and mountains, as well as many reefs, beaches and waves, our area is the best in all of Central America to base yourself for days, weeks and even years! These rich waters are known for Pacific mantas, devil rays, white tip and nurse sharks, as well as many species of fish. 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